Harvest Festival

On Tuesday we went to Aurora's Harvest Festival at school.  The kids got to dress up in their costumes and used tickets to play games and activities.  They had a basketball contest, a hockey contest, witches hat ring toss, crafts, a cake walk, a pumpkin walk, a bounce house, and lots more!  Aurora had fun and was also able to show me some of the Fall crafts she has been working on.

At the cake walk, Alex won, and upon looking at all of the yummy bakes goods, he insisted on having the one container of cupcakes that had obviously been dropped several times!  I tried to talk him out of it, but that's what he wanted!

They both had a great time!

 

Alex's 3rd Birthday

On Sunday we had Alex's third birthday party. He picked a dinosaur theme and it was just a small party with family and close friends. Traditionally, each kid stays the night at Grandma K's the night before their birthday so that I, and my best friend Megan, can clean, decorate and prepare for the party. This year, Aurora was so excited to help us prepare and decorate! She did a great job too! When Alex arrived he was very happy and he loved to see all of the dinosaur decorations.

First we had Dion's Pizza, which is Alex's favorite. Then the kids bounced in the bounce house and then did the dinosaur pinata. Alex got the special string that ripped it open! When we opened presents, Alex opened the first one, a huge Buzz Lightyear action figure from Grandma and Grandpa S. He was so excited!! After that, he didn't even want to open any more presents! It was a struggle to get him to open the rest. But luckily, Sister was glad to help out!

After that we had cake and ice cream and then everyone played around. Alex got to battle Uncle Chris with his new Knight in Shining Armor costume, and he got to see Chris and Emily's new baby, Aiden - the first real baby he has seen up close. He was so sweet with him and even asked to hold him. Both kids were so fascinated by him. It was a great day!

Three Years Ago Today...

I was exhausted after 29 hours of labor and finally got to meet my little man! Alex was born around 7pm, weighed 8lbs, 11oz and was 21 inches long. He was a challenging baby with lots of medical problems - reflux, constant congestion, ear infections, etc. and very high needs because of it. Around 18 months he started growing out of all of it and his personality really started to bloom.

Today Alex is smart, witty, affectionate, and so very funny! Not a day goes by when he doesn't tell me he loves me several times, and says or does something that makes me laugh. He loves to give hugs and be in the middle of anything going on. He still has some speech delays but he is expressive and has a fantastic imagination. He also understands concepts way beyond his age.

He is all boy and loves Buzz Lightyear, Little Einsteins' Rocket, airplanes, helicopters, jets, spaceships, dinosaurs, trains, and aliens. He also likes to sing and dance. Alex is quite the character and despite the rocky start, he has made my life so much better! Happy Birthday Alex!

Birth

1 Year
2 Year
Now

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday we went to McCall's Pumpkin Patch! We go every year and every time we go they have new things to do! When we got there this time, the first thing the kids did was ride the cow train. They loved riding all around the farm and ringing the cow bells.



Then we checked out all of the animals. They have farm animals that you can look at and goats you can feed. There is even a huge "goat mountain" made out of wooden ladders and balconies for the goats to walk up and get a good view. They also have a "Bunny Town" with little bunnies and their houses.


After the animals, the kids and Daddy bounced on the "Pumpkin Pillow" - a huge orange air filled pillow you can bounce on! They also had several bounce houses, separated by age groups so the big kids couldn't stomp on the little kids.




We also climbed a hay pyramid, and watched them shoot pumpkins out of the pumpkin cannon! The cannon was a huge and used an air compressor to shoot them about half a mile! Daddy said he wanted one for Christmas!


Then we went through the corn maize, but the kids got pretty tired of that after a bit so we ended up taking a "short cut" to get back out. We actually did not go out to the actual pumpkin patch because it is too difficult for Alex to walk over all of the vines and he is too big for me to carry. Next year!

While Daddy and Aurora ordered food, Alex did his favorite part - playing in the corn pit! They have buckets, shovels, and dump trucks and the kids have a blast playing with the corn! That night I found several kernels in his diaper!


There was actually much more to do there but the kids were pretty worn out already. There's always next year! It was a great day!

Balloon Fiesta 2009!!

Thursday night we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The weather was perfect! There was no wind and it was nice and cool. We did the Park and Ride so Alex was super excited about riding a "yellow school bus" to Fiesta Park! We met Grandma S. at the parking lot and she went with us.

After arriving, we immediately headed to the food stands. The kids had pizza and lemonade and of course, a funnel cake! As we sat and ate, they started blowing the balloons up. Last night was the Special Shapes Glowdeo, so all of the balloons going up were special shapes! Aurora's favorite balloons were Darth Vader (which is guarded by storm troopers) and Noah's Ark. Alex's were the elephant and the jack-o-lantern. Mine is the Haunted House and the Bumblebees that kiss!

After they get them all blown up, it's almost dark, and they start doing coordinated 'burns', where they all run their fires at the same time and glow in the night sky. Everyone counts backwards from 10 and then yells, "BURN!!!!" and they all light up! They do it over and over for about an hour. The Albuquerque Fiesta is one of the few remaining balloon events where people can go out on the field, touch the balloons and baskets, and talk to the handlers. Afterwards they do fireworks!

The kids had a blast! We can't wait to go again next year! Here are pics, and a short video of the burn.

October Weekend

We had a fabulous first weekend of October! I am so happy October (and Fall) is here! The first weekend is when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta starts. It's tradition for us to head out on the first Saturday and chase balloons. The balloonists are very cool about letting you come right up and check out their balloons and even help as needed. Here are some shots from the morning:


When we returned to the house we decorated for Halloween! Here are the kids decorating the "Halloween Tree" (yes I have a tree for just about every holiday!)


Saturday afternoon we had a nice dinner with Grandma and Grandpa K. As you can see, the kids are spoiled rotten there!

Sunday morning we had a playdate at Megan's and the kids made Halloween cookies!


Sunday evening we were supposed to go to the Balloon Fiesta, but the events were canceled due to the wind. Hopefully we will make it Thursday or Friday!